Hangzhou:Diplomats from Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, and Iraq recently toured Hangzhou, a city in eastern China, from October 17 to 19. Their visit included stops at an ancient archaeological site, technology exhibitions, and a university.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the delegation was invited by Haiwainet, a part of People’s Daily, for the Zhejiang Tour for diplomatic envoys. Chile’s Ambassador to China, Alfonso Silva, expressed his admiration for the Liangzhu civilisation, describing it as "a great heritage of which the Chinese people must be proud."

The tour commenced on October 17 at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, which celebrates the 90th anniversary of its discovery this year. The diplomats explored the Liangzhu Museum and the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park, where they viewed artifacts such as jade cong, stone yue axes, earthen embankments, and rice fields from the 5,000-year-old civilisation.

On the following day, October 18, the delegation visited technology exhibitions in Hangzhou’s new urban centre. These exhibitions featured local technology companies known as the “Six Little Dragons” and the “New Eight Steeds.” The diplomats experienced augmented reality glasses and engaged in a game of Gomoku, a traditional five-in-a-row board game, against artificial intelligence.

The visit concluded on October 19 at Zhejiang International Studies University. Here, the diplomats viewed folk-art exhibits, practiced Chinese calligraphy, and made Chongyang cakes, a traditional snack for the Double Ninth Festival. They also had the opportunity to meet with students to discuss cultural understanding.

The tour was guided by the Information Office of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism. It was organized by the Zhejiang International Communication Center, with support from People’s Daily Haiwainet, the Hangzhou bureau of Zhejiang Daily Press Group, and the university.